Former state assemblyman Murray Lewinter, of the Bronx, is seen in an old campaign photo.

Bronx-born Murray Lewinter, a former state assemblyman who became a lobbyist after his political career, died Saturday at the age of 89.

The World War II veteran passed away after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, said his son-in-law Bruce Solitar.

Lewinter was elected three times to the state Assembly, serving his Bronx district from 1961-67. He was elected an assemblymember in the same district he grew up in.

He was survived by his wife of 40 years, Iris, along with stepchildren Solitar and Debbie Murray, and five grandchildren.

In a 2008 interview with the Queens Courier, Lewinter said he first became interested in politics as a child when he would attend democratic meetings with his father. “He used to go to the local democratic club and I enjoyed watching the politicians work,” he said. “When I grew older I became an assemblyman.”

Lewinter was elected three times to the state Assembly, representing the same district he grew up in. After staying in office for five years (1961-67), Lewinter was then appointed the executive director of the New York City Council. He then spent a few years as a law secretary for a Supreme Court judge in the Bronx.

He later became the executive director of the Ways and Means Committee in Albany. Lewinter told his QC interviewer, “[WAM was] the most important committee in the Assembly because all the bills pertaining to money have to come out of the Ways and Means Committee.” He was appointed to the position by the speaker and stayed there until retiring.

Even after retiring Lewinter has remained active in the world of politics and government. He became a lobbyist. He worked the halls of Albany, Capitol Hill and City Hall.

His clients included Cingular, AT&T, hotel and restaurant employees, the second largest billboard company in New York State and various unions.

At the time of his passing, Murray Lewinter and his wife Iris resided at North Shore Towers in Queens, where he served on the board of directors.

Funeral services for Murray Lewinter were held on Sunday July 3 the Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels in Forest Hills. Burial followed at Beth El Cemetery located in Paramus, New Jersey.

Sources: NY Daily News and the Queens Courier.

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Author: Michael Benjamin
Michael Benjamin is a public affairs consultant and an editorial board member at The New York Post. He is a former contributing columnist to the NY Post, City and State NY and other publications. He is a former Member of the New York State Assembly (2003-2010) and once led the Bronx Board of Elections. Since leaving office, he has appeared as a commentator on TWC NY1, Bronxnet OPEN, Good Day NY, and Al Jazeera America. His columns and blog focus on corruption, government, education, politics, redistricting, nuclear energy and race. He holds a B.A. in political science from Syracuse University.